2nd Battalion, 5th Marines

Unit Lineage

Formed on 1 July 1914, the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines is the most highly decorated battalion in the United States Marine Corps. Assigned to the 5th Marine Regiment under the 1st Marine Division, 2/5 is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. The battalion's motto is born from the Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918, when Captain Lloyd W. Williams was advised by a French officer to retreat from an advancing German force. Williams replied: "Retreat? Hell, we just got here!" The French Fourragere, representing the Croix de Guerre awarded twice with Palm and once with Gold Star, is still worn by every member of the battalion today.

World War I

In June 1917, 2/5 sailed for France and fought at Belleau Wood, Soissons, and the Meuse-Argonne Campaign. The battalion's performance in France earned it the French Croix de Guerre three times. Captain Williams, who coined the battalion's motto, was killed at Belleau Wood and posthumously promoted to Major. After the armistice, 2/5 served on occupation duty in Germany before returning to Quantico, Virginia in August 1919.

World War II

After joining the 1st Marine Division at New River, North Carolina in 1941, 2/5 deployed to the Pacific and fought at Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa. Following the Japanese surrender, the battalion served on occupation duty in North China until 1947.

Korea

In July 1950, 2/5 sailed from Camp Pendleton to Korea and immediately fought to defend the Pusan Perimeter as part of the "Fire Brigade." The battalion participated in the landing at Inchon, the liberation of Seoul, and the Chosin Reservoir campaign. Staff Sergeant Reckless, a Mongolian mare purchased from a Korean boy for $250, served with the battalion's Recoilless Rifle Platoon and became one of the most decorated war horses in American history. She carried ammunition and supplies under fire across open terrain during multiple engagements. 2/5 defended the Korean DMZ from July 1953 to February 1955.

Vietnam

2/5 deployed to Vietnam in April 1966 and served until 1971. The battalion fought at Hue City, Que Son, Phu Bai, Dong Ha, and Phu Loc. During the Battle of Hue in 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Ernie Cheatham commanded the battalion through some of the most intense urban combat of the war. Captain George R. Christmas commanded a rifle company during the same battle and later rose to Brigadier General. General Peter Pace, who served as a platoon commander with Golf Company in Vietnam, went on to become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Desert Storm Through the Global War on Terror

In December 1990, 2/5 deployed to the Persian Gulf and participated in the liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. On the return transit, the battalion was diverted to Bangladesh for humanitarian relief during Operation Sea Angel. In February 2003, 2/5 deployed to Kuwait and attacked into Iraq the following month. The battalion conducted security operations through August 2003 and returned for subsequent OIF deployments. 2/5 also deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Gear for Two Five

This collection is for the Marines who served with 2/5 and the families who carry their legacy. Every t-shirt, hoodie, flag, and accessory honors the most decorated battalion in the Marine Corps. Whether you served with Echo, Fox, Golf, or Weapons Company, this gear is yours. Veteran-owned and made in the USA.

Browse our 2/5 Marines t-shirts, long sleeves, hoodies, tank tops, flags, decals, drinkware, and more below. OIF and OEF veteran designs available. Every order ships free at $75+.